Monday, 3 April 2017

Federer rules in Florida

Federer has done what Djokovic did in 2015 and 2016 - won the Aus Open and the first two Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami .

Along the way he defeated Rafa Nadal in each tournament, twice in finals, including here in Southern Florida.

True the absence of Murray and Djokovic potentially opened up the draw for Federer, but nothing can take away the fact that he was forced to play exceptional tennis just to reach the final against Nadal.

His first set of the tournament was a tie break against US qualifier Frances Tiafoe, and he produced his best to push past a dangerous third round opponent in Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.

Roberto Bautista Agut took Federer to two tie breaks and then it became even tougher.

Tomas Berdych had match points in a three set thriller from which Roger escaped, only to find himself in probably the match of the year, a semi final against Nick Kyrgios.

Three more tie break sets, two which went to twenty points, again saw Roger slip through the grip of his Aussie opponent and step into the final.

Nadal had taken the easier route, Kohlschreiber (26) and Sock (13) the only seeded players he met on the way.

Federer had the edge throughout the final, winning 87% of points on his first serve and breaking once in each of the two sets. Nadal couldn't convert any of the four chances he had during the one and a half hours on court.

A typically controlled performance from Federer finished with a 6-3 6-4 victory and another Miami Open trophy.

Yes, Andy and Novak may have been missing, but to be required to defeat del Potro, Bautista Agut, Berdych, Kyrgios and Nadal in order to win a non Grand Slam tournament is a task more than noteworthy, and it was completed in style.